garnish 1 of 2

garnish

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verb

Synonym Chooser

How is the word garnish different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of garnish are adorn, beautify, deck, decorate, embellish, and ornament. While all these words mean "to enhance the appearance of something by adding something unessential," garnish suggests decorating with a small final touch and is used especially in referring to the serving of food.

an entrée garnished with parsley

Where would adorn be a reasonable alternative to garnish?

In some situations, the words adorn and garnish are roughly equivalent. However, adorn implies an enhancing by something beautiful in itself.

a diamond necklace adorned her neck

How are the words beautify and embellish related as synonyms of garnish?

Beautify adds to embellish a suggestion of counterbalancing plainness or ugliness.

will beautify the grounds with flower beds

When can deck be used instead of garnish?

The synonyms deck and garnish are sometimes interchangeable, but deck implies the addition of something that contributes to gaiety, splendor, or showiness.

a house all decked out for Christmas

When is decorate a more appropriate choice than garnish?

While in some cases nearly identical to garnish, decorate suggests relieving plainness or monotony by adding beauty of color or design.

decorate a birthday cake

When is it sensible to use embellish instead of garnish?

The words embellish and garnish can be used in similar contexts, but embellish often stresses the adding of superfluous or adventitious ornament.

embellish a page with floral borders

How do ornament and embellish relate to one another, in the sense of garnish?

Both ornament and embellish imply the adding of something extraneous, ornament stressing the heightening or setting off of the original.

a white house ornamented with green shutters

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of garnish
Noun
That simple inspiration for a garnish spearheaded the beloved cocktail that tennis fans drink today. Greta Cross, USA Today, 23 Aug. 2025 From August 24 to September 7, The Terrace and Outdoor Gardens and Lobby Bar at The Times Square Edition has debuted the Grand Slamberry, a mix of Grey Goose, Chambord, grapefruit juice, lemon juice, melon foam and a blackberry garnish. Rachel Dube, Forbes.com, 20 Aug. 2025
Verb
Look for gummy eyeballs in the candy aisle around Halloween (or garnish with a thin slice of green apple instead). Sarah Martens, Better Homes & Gardens, 25 Aug. 2025 Put the ingredients in a blender with some ice and blitz until combined, garnishing with the melon balls. Greta Cross, USA Today, 23 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for garnish
Recent Examples of Synonyms for garnish
Noun
  • The festivities included a catered spread of food, themed decorations and a special gift from the brand.
    Erin Clack, PEOPLE, 6 Sep. 2025
  • Keep scrolling for more Halloween decorations from Pottery Barn’s clearance section for up to 50% off.
    Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Kirkton House Wood Fall Icon Candle One of the simplest ways to decorate for the season is with a fragrant candle.
    Abigail Wilt, Southern Living, 2 Sep. 2025
  • City officials said no, and soon after, the city council passed an ordinance re-establishing a rule that only city employees can decorate its property.
    Cate Charron, IndyStar, 2 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Born into postwar optimism in the mid-20th century, the movement favored steel, concrete, and insulated glass in defiance of ornamentation.
    Will Speros, Architectural Digest, 3 Sep. 2025
  • Barnsdall is home to Frank Lloyd Wright’s first Los Angeles commission, Hollyhock House, with its commanding monolithic forms, geometric ornamentation, and modern take on Mayan Revival architecture.
    R. Daniel Foster, Forbes.com, 15 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Inside, walls are adorned with inlaid brass and white onyx mosaic, framing a three-dimensional image of Leonardo da Vinci’s Vitruvian Man, which is present in many RH Galleries and represents the RH design ethos.
    Sofia Celeste, Footwear News, 5 Sep. 2025
  • Chicago Sky star forward Angel Reese is on the WNBA edition cover—an alt-product trend introduced in NBA 2K22 when former Sky star Candace Parker adorned a cover in honor of the WNBA’s 25th anniversary.
    Eric Jackson, Sportico.com, 5 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Their distinctive products include lowball tumblers, decanters, and pitchers as well as decor like holiday ornaments.
    Caroline Rogers, Southern Living, 31 Aug. 2025
  • Start by selecting a focal point, such as the Grand Duchess Tree or a statement yard piece, then build around it using garlands, mini trees, or complementary ornaments.
    Elizabeth Fogarty, Better Homes & Gardens, 28 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • Wage garnishment would be a major shift from Biden-era policies that allowed for student loan deferment and forgiveness in some cases.
    Sydney Lake, Fortune, 29 Aug. 2025
  • If Darjean ultimately prevails, he will be entitled to pursue collection efforts, potentially including garnishment of Sanders’ NFL income.
    Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 25 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • Its scoop neck also creates space for a necklace stack (take it from us and amplify the beige-adjacent color with gold adornments).
    Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 26 Aug. 2025
  • Sequin beads and delicate embroidery are some of the most common adornments–though feathers and fil-coupe are thrown in the mix from time to time, as well.
    Hannah Jackson, Vogue, 23 Aug. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Garnish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/garnish. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.

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